Made in Toulouse. Little is said about Francazal, but it is there, near Toulouse, that the elite of French aeronautical innovation is hiding. And in particular the startup Aura Aero, which has been developing a small aerobatic aircraft since 2018, the Integral R, a light two-seater aircraft perfectly suited for pilot training. The entry into the capital of an investment fund in January made it possible to push down the throttle and the Toulouse company is expanding its assembly line to release about fifteen devices per year.

Respectful planes for committed pilots. Now, the founder Jérémy Caussade is feeling himself growing wings. Serial production will ramp up and release 30 Integral Rs next year, reaching 50 devices in 2023. But his project does not stop there: “  Rather than talking, our job is to act and respond. through action against environmental threats ”proclaims President Caussade  to Le Monde .

The aircraft manufacturer wants to revolutionize French air mobility. It will initially replace the thermal propulsion of its two-seater by an electric motor: the Integral E will allow a generation of pilots to be trained as soon as possible to lead “gas-less” planes. Without waiting until then, Aura Aero is already designing a new model: the ERA, or Electrical Regional Aircraft, a 6-rotor aircraft whose first prototype will be ready in 2024, with commercial flights expected in 2026.

Domestic flights, superior air quality. Don't let the term “regional” fool you, aviation does not care about administrative divisions; ERA will carry 19 people on domestic or cross-border flights. "  The idea is to be able to cover short distances , confirms J. Caussade, mostly below 600 kilometers, with zero carbon emissions in flight  ". One way to reach larger transport hubs such as medium and long-haul airports or TGV stations, for example. A transversal vision of European mobility already shared by its competitor VoltAero , proof that France wishes to position itself at the forefront of this new mobility business.